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Purpose Dignity Action

EIN 91-0852323 · Seattle, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE DIGNITY ACTION ADVANCES SOCIAL AND RACIAL EQUITY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH REFORM OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. GROUNDING REFORM IN A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY FRAMEWORK, PDA DEVELOPS NEW STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTS MODELS THAT IMPROVE ON CONVENTIONAL RESPONSES TO CRIME AND PUBLIC ORDER ISSUES. IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS, WE USE POLICY ADVOCACY, ORGANIZING, LITIGATION, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.

Income
$37.0 million
Spending
$33.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
101
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$277,444, co-executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $12.2 million spent. COLEAD/JUSTCARE: ADAPTED LEAD DURING THE COVID CRISIS TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE LIVING UNSHELTERED AFTER SHELTER CLOSURES AND DE-INTENSIFICATION, JAIL AND COURT CLOSURES, CLOSURE OF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE SANITATION FACILITIES, AND CLOSURE OF IN-PERSON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. USED HOTELS AND OTHER NON-CONGREGATE FACILITIES TO PROVIDE PRIVATE ROOMS FOR PEOPLE NEEDING SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT DUE TO COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS. ASSISTED IN DEVELOPING EXIT PLANS, INCOME STABILIZATION, AND PERMANENT HOUSING PLANS. RESOLVED ENCAMPMENTS.
  2. $15.0 million spent. LEAD/SEATTLE KING COUNTY: PDA STAFF ARE PROJECT MANAGERS FOR, AND OVERSEE SUBCONTRACTS TO CASE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES FOR, A COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE LAWS RELATED TO THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES AND/OR EXTREME POVERTY. IN 2020, THE PROGRAM WAS RENAMED LET EVERYONE ADVANCE WITH DIGNITY, AND IT BEGAN TAKING REFERRALS DIRECTLY FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT. PDA ALSO PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES FOR LEAD PARTICIPANTS AND SUBCONTRACTED FOR LEAD LIAISON SERVICES FROM THE SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
  3. $2.7 million spent. LEAD NATIONAL SUPPORT BUREAU: PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO JURISDICTIONS NATIONALLY SEEKING TO REPLICATE SEATTLE'S LEAD DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WHO COMMIT LAW VIOLATIONS RELATED TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES OR INCOME INSTABILITY. NATIONAL AND WASHINGTON STATE TEAMS.
  4. $429,229 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDING EVICTION MITIGATION & CIVIL SURVIVAL PROJECT (Q1 ONLY).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1970.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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